Make the Team!
Some hints for youth players headed for "open" tryouts

By David Morris

You are getting ready for spring soccer season, you have your cleats, the bruises on your knees have faded a bit, and you're raring to go. Only one problem, which team do you want to play for? A lot of times, teenage players are victims of the "sorting" process. As players are pushed to find the best soccer environment, you may find you want to "play up" on a better or older team, you may find your team no longer exists because of players moving from one team to another. Some clubs require "open" tryouts each season or year. Spring high school seasons always begin with some form of tryout. So whatever your situation, here are some things YOU can do (starting NOW) so you can put your best foot forward when you are being evaluated.

First, remember that you are being evaluated for soccer skills. You may be incredibly smart and talented in a multitude of ways, but pretty much all most coaches look at is your ability to impact the team on the field, which is pretty fair, really. This means that you as an individual are not "on trial." Nobody is judging you as a person, or even judging your potential as a player - a lot of good players get cut for varying reasons. Go in with the attitude that a tryout is a chance to show off, and try your best to have a good time playing (remember soccer is fun) - you can't control what the coach or team manager is looking for anyway.

Yeah, yeah, you say - how do I make sure I've got what the coach is looking for?

Well, here's the basic idea: 1. Be IN SHAPE. If you can keep running and performing your best when others are wheezing, you have a big advantage. This means getting soccer fit now! Sprint work is a great way to build your soccer fitness - sprint as fast as you can comfortably (not 100%) from the top of the goal box to the top of the opposite goal box, then jog across to the other side of the box and sprint comfortably back. Start with 8 sprints, and try to work up to 10 or 12. Getting bored, get a bunch of soccer balls, sprint/dribble from box to box, shoot, then jog over to the next ball and do it again - same work out but with a ball - see if you can shoot hard, low and accurately on the 8th or 9th sprint. Stuck inside, use a basketball court - you could even shoot at the pads behind the basket if your local gym has them. Try to do this twice a week (or maybe a third time if you're really gung ho) 2. Make friends with a ball near you - spend some quality time with a soccer ball - you can do this on a racquetball court, or in the basement (or living room, just don't get caught). Try to juggle the ball with different surfaces - the inside and outside of your feet - knocking the ball over your body with your instep and then back over with your heel (this takes some practice). Throw some extra shirts, jackets or old rags down on the floor over about a 10-15 foot area and dribble as quickly as possible from one to the other, connect the dots in different ways, turn and cut with the ball as fast as you can! If you can find a wall, spend a lot of time with 2-touch shooting. Focus on using your first touch to set up a good shot, and work on shooting accurately and hard with your instep and the outside of your foot. If you are striking the ball well, you will be amazed at how much your touch will improve. 3. Talk to the coach ahead of time. Most coaches will be clear about what they are looking for in a tryout - if you want to play, spend some time strategizing about how to show your skill. If a coach likes players to take on opponents 1v1 then use those cuts and turns to show them you can do (or at least are willing to try). Other coaches don't want any "ball hogs" so you may want to show off your vision with passes that penetrate the defense and make other players look good. Hopefully you get a chance to do both. 4. Don't worry about "positions." There are really only two positions - on the team and off the team. If you want on the team - figure out how to get on the field. Being versatile is always an advantage (ask Carey Talley at DC United, who played every midfield and defensive position during the season, never was a regular at any of them, but ended up being invited to train with the U.S. team before the match with Iran - or Joy Fawcett who moved to defender just before her first World Cup in 1991). Try to "read" what qualities the coach is looking for to fill open positions, and look for opportunities to "show off" in those areas as much as you can -remember you'll look better because you're in soccer shape and you'll be able to outlast some other players. 5. Have fun! Remember, that is why we play - coming in with a positive attitude and making the best of whatever tryout situation there is can be the difference between being on the team and being off the team. It can also be the edge that gets you on the field. Good Luck!!

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